Regulation and technology

Since its emergence, the internet has been a disruptive technology that radically changed the way we communicate. It produced significant changes in our communications ecosystem and decisively affected how we inform ourselves, how we argue, and how we shape the public conversation that underpins every constitutional democracy. That disruption produced unexpected effects and various anxieties, which —in many cases— were addressed through attempts to shape the internet by means of regulatory initiatives of different kinds.
Regulation and technology

Latest news and analysis

  • digital services act

    Data Access for Researchers

    We participated with InternetLab in the consultation process with comments on a preliminary version of this regulation.

    Data Access for Researchers
  • integridad de la información

    La integridad de la información, ¿un proyecto irrealizable?

    La integridad de la información es un concepto confuso, que resulta vago y ambiguo y que ---como tal--- es poco útil para pensar en la gobernanza del ecosistema digital.

    La integridad de la información, ¿un proyecto irrealizable?
  • WSIS+20

    WSIS+20: en riesgo el legado en materia de derechos humanos

    Obstáculos a la participación significativa de la academia y la sociedad civil pone en riesgo el legado en materia de derechos humanos.

    WSIS+20: en riesgo el legado en materia de derechos humanos

Publications

  • Rullying by Bullying. Threats of regulation as an internet governance device

    Ramiro Álvarez Ugarte
    Internet Policy Review, Vol. 15, No. 1.

    Government by regulation structures how constitutional democracies normally operate. Legislatures and executive agencies enact formal rules that govern conduct, embodying the ideal of government by laws rather than by individuals. Yet regulators also govern through threats of regulation. When public officials seek to alter private behavior, they may warn regulated actors that failure to comply will trigger new or stricter rules. These warnings can achieve regulatory goals without the adoption of formal rules. …